In the Sentate of the United States

109th CONGRESS

1st Session

S.

IN THE SENTATE OF THE UNITED STATES

October 11, 2005

Introduced by Ms. Dietrich

A BILL

To designate additional National Forest System Lands in the State of Virginia as wilderness to protect and further the development of trail plans as well as scenic areas for future use.

Be it enacted by the Senate of the United States of America in the Congressional Simulation assembled,

SECTION ONE: SHORT TITLE

This act may be cited as the ‘Virginia Wilderness Expansion Act of 2005’

SECTION TWO: DESIGNATION OF NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM LANDS AS WILDERNESS IN VIRGINIA

(1) Section 1 of the Act entitled ‘An Act to designate certain National Forest System lands in the States of Virginia and West Virginia as wilderness areas’, approved by June 7, 1988 (Public Law 100-326; 16 U.S.C. 1132 note), as amended by Public Law 106-47 (114 Stat. 2057), is further amended—

a) certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest which compromise approximately 3,769 and 4,794 acres are generally depicted on a map entitled ‘Brush Mountain and Brush Mountain East’, dated March 23, 2005, and which are herby incorporated in the Brush Mountain East Wilderness;

b) certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, which comprise approximately 4,384 acres, as generally depicted on a map entitled `Seng Mountain and Raccoon Branch', dated February 12, 2004, and which are herby incorporated in the Raccoon Branch Wilderness;

c) certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, which comprise approximately 3,300 acres, as generally depicted on a map entitled `Stone Mountain', dated February 12, 2004, and which are herby incorporated in the Stone Mountain Wilderness;

d) certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, which comprise approximately 1,570 acres, as generally depicted on a map entitled `Peters Mountain Addition', dated February 12, 2004, and which are hereby incorporated in the Peters Mountain Wilderness;

e) certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, which comprise approximately 2,789 acres, as generally depicted on a map entitled `Shawvers Run Additions', dated February 12, 2004, and which are hereby incorporated in the Shawvers Run Wilderness

f) certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, which comprise approximately 1,862 acres, as generally depicted on a map entitled `Lewis Fork Addition and Little Wilson Creek Additions', dated February 12, 2004, and which are hereby incorporated in the Little Wilson Creek Wilderness.’.

SECTION THREE: ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE OF SCENIC AREAS

(1) ESTABLISHMENT- The following National Forest System lands in the State of Virginia are hereby designated as National Scenic Areas

(A) Certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, which compromise approximately 6,455 acres, as generally depicted on a map entitled `Seng Mountain and Raccoon Branch', dated February 12, 2004, and which shall be known as the Seng Mountain National Scenic Area.

(B) Certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, which comprise approximately 5,400 acres, as generally depicted on a map entitled `Crawfish Valley' dated February 12, 2004, and which shall be known as the Crawfish Valley National Scenic Area.

(2) MAPS AND DIRECTIONS- Soon after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall file a map including boundary description of the scenic areas with the Committee of Agriculture and Forestry of the Senate. The map and description shall have the same force and effect as if included in this Act but the Secretary may correct any clerical and typographical errors in the following map description. The map and boundary description will be on file and available for public inspection in the Office of the Chief of Forest Service, Department of Agriculture. In case of any discrepancy between acreage, the map will control.

(3) PURPOSES OF SCENIC AREAS

The scenic areas are established for the purpose of—

a) Ensuring the protection and preservation of scenic quality, water quality, natural characteristics, and water resources;

b) Protecting wildlife and fish habitat that may reside in the scenic area

c) Protecting any areas that may develop characteristics of old-growth forests

d) Providing a variety of recreation opportunites

(4) ADMINISTRATION

IN GENERAL-The Secretary of Agriculture shall administer the scenic areas in accordance with this section and laws and regulations generally applicable to the National Forest System. In the event of any conflict between this particular section and other laws and regulations, this section shall take precedence.

(5) ROADS

After the date of the enactment of this Act, no roads shall be established or constructed within the scenic areas, except this prohibition shall not be construed to deny access to private lands or interests therein the scenic areas.

(6) MOTORIZED TRAVEL

Motorized travel shall not be permitted within the scenic area, except that the Secretary of Agriculture may authorize motorized travel within the scenic area-

a) as necessary for administrative use in furtherance of the purposes of this section;

b) in support of wildlife management projects

SECTION FOUR: TRAIL PLAN AND DEVELOPMENT

(1) Trail Plan- The Secretary of Agriculture shall establish, with interested parties, a trail plan for National Forest System land described within this paragraph in order to develop the following:

a) Hiking and equestrian trials within the wilderness areas

b) Nonmotorized recreation trials within the scenic areas designated by section 6.

(2) Implementation Report: Within the first 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to Congress a report on the implementation of the trail plan, including the identification of priority trials for development

SECTION FIVE: GOALS

(1)The goals of this Act are as follows:

(a) To establish large lands of wilderness as National Forest Systems

(b) To create scenic areas for the enjoyment of residence as well as tourist

(c) To make the lands of wilderness accessible for public enjoyment

(d) To increase interest of public land availability

From the Office of Holly C. Dietrich

Contact 602-502-1287

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 11, 2005

SENATE DEMOCRAT HOLLY DIETRICH WILL PROPOSE NEW LEGISLATION TO PROTECT WILDLIFE IN VIRGINIA

Washington D.C.- Senator Holly Dietrich announces today that a new piece of legislation is needed for the State of Virginia’s wildlife and National Forest System.

The state of Virginia is in desperate need of protecting the natural resources that they have today. With the new proposal of “Virginia Wilderness Expansion Act of 2005” there will be clear regulations and rules of how land will be designated as a National Forest System. In the bill it will provide establishment of scenic areas as well as creation or addition to trail pathways that will be located within the heart of the forest. The establishment of scenic areas will create a greater tourism interest in the state as well as an alternative for state residents. The trail pathways will also allow the state greater commerce for local tours.

“I hope that this new legislation will allow the people of Virginia to expose the great beauty of the state to friends, family, and colleagues,” said Virginia Senator Holly Dietrich. “This is something that I can only imagine helping the tourism as well as helping the environment and wildlife,” she continued.

Dear Colleagues,

Today I have proposed a piece of legislation that will allow the state of Virginia expansion and creation of protecting National Forest within the state. The bill contains vital parts of creating a new scenic areas as well as trail development within the forest that are protected. The establishment of scenic areas will address which particular parts of land are considered to be in protection of the National Forest System. If the bill is approved a map will be created with exact boundaries of all the protected areas as well as a clear outline of acreage for the public to access. Establishing the scenic areas will ensure the protection and preservation of scenic quality, water quality, as well as water resources. It will also protect the wildlife that may reside within the boundaries of the natural forest. Finally it will provide a variety of recreation opportunities for the citizens of Virginia. Roads will also no longer be paved in the center of the forests and will also ensure that motorized travel will not be permitted. Trail plans for the forest will allow path for hikers as well as equestrian trials within the wilderness area. The goals of this act will establish exactly where the land of wilderness is located with detailed maps, create tourism for the state of Virginia as well as give an opportunity to the local population to enjoy a place of relaxation, and finally save the natural habitat that resides within the land and protect the environment surrounding it.

Sincerely,

Holly C. Dietrich

Democrat Senator of Virginia